Recent Result on Applications to the Committee of Adjustment

When a
property owner intends to make significant changes to an existing property e.g.
sever the lot, build a larger than permitted structure, etc, they must request
variance approval from the City of Ottawa Committee of Adjustment.The WBCA reviews these requests carefully and
works with the neighbours to oppose variance which are not in keeping with the
neighbourhood.

On November
16, 2011, there were 4 properties under consideration in the Westboro Beach
area.The decision of the Committee has
now been announced.

1.289-291 Atlantis Ave
(developer Urban Strada).The developer
asked to sever the lot in half, and build 2 houses requiring reduced lot width
and reduced lot size.The fourth
request was to have the house be higher than the 8 metre height allowed for by
zoning.

Result:The application was
adjourned to be reviewed at the January meeting.This is to give the developer and neighbours
time to find a compromise. The application will be coming back to the Committee
of Adjustment.

2.283 Kirchoffer Ave. (developer Greg Capello).The developer wants to duplicate what he
built at 285-289 Kirchoffer – something which was also not approved at the
Committee of Adjustment nor at the Ontario Municipal Board.

Result: The reserve decision of the Committee was to adjourn all of
Mr. Capello’s applications ‘Sine Die’. In order for Mr. Capello to reactivate
his applications he will have to pay a fee to the Committee for their
reactivation/recirculation and then in turn will re-notify everyone that is
within a 60 metres radius of this property of the new Hearing date. There is no
decision issued when the Committee adjourns applications ‘Sine Die (adjourned without assigning a
date).

Result:Application approved.
"It is
the opinion of the Committee that the scale and massing of the proposed
development is appropriate for the subject property. The Committee acknowledges
that corner lots provide unique opportunities for intensification, and find this
particular corner lot provides a suitable lot area to accommodate the four
proposed parcels, with minimal adverse impact on surrounding development and
existing vegetation.”